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Available online at http://www.journalcra.com INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT RESEARCH International Journal of Current Research Vol. 7 , Issue, 12, pp.24656-24659, December, 2015

ISSN: 0975-833X RESEARCH ARTICLE

FOLIAR CONSTITUENTS OF ARJUNA ROXB. (FAMILY: COMBRETACEAE): AN ALTERNATE HOST PLANT OF WILD TEMPERATE TASAR SILKWORM, FRITHI, MOORE

1Yasmin, F., *2Chutia, B.C., 2Nath, C., 1Sultana, S. and 1Borkataki, S.

1Department of Botany, Nowgong College, Nagaon- 782001, Assam, India 2Department of Zoology, Nowgong College, Nagaon- 782001, Assam, India

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History: The quality of food has got a direct influence on the health, growth, development and survival of silkworm. Most of the food plants may contain all the nutritional requirements but the quantity of Received 15th September, 2015 Received in revised form each nutrient may not be well balanced for proper growth and development of silkworm. The 28th October, 2015 nutritional status as well as growth and development of varied on different host plants. The Accepted 07th November, 2015 present investigation deals with rearing of Antheraea frithi M. and foliar constituents of Terminalia Published online 30th December, 2015 arjuna Roxb., a newly reported host plant for A. frithi. The foliar constituents of , viz. total nitrogen (2.88 ± 0.04 %), total soluble protein (12.77 ± 0.38 %), crude protein (18 ± 0.70 Key words: %), phosphorous (22.02 ± 0.36 ppm/gm), potassium (18.8 ± 0.46 ppm/gm), crude fiber (33 ± 0.59 %), cellulose (12.33 ± 0.40 %), total ash content (12.33 ± 0.40 %) moisture content (68 ± 0.71 %) were Terminalia arjuna, recorded during the rearing season i.e. July-August. Although A. frithi is a wild temperate tasar Antheraea frithi, Foliar constituents, silkworm and so far not commercially exploited, hence, there is an ample scope to introduce Terminalia arjuna as a new host plant along with other host plants and it will accomplished the Host plant. conservation of silkworm as well as host plant at significant level.

Copyright © 2015 Yasmin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Citation: Yasmin, F., Chutia, B.C., Nath, C., Sultana, S. and Borkataki, S. 2015. “Foliar constituents of Terminalia arjuna Roxb.

(Family: Combretaceae): An alternate host plant of wild temperate tasar silkworm, Antheraea frithi, Moore”, International Journal of

Current Research, 7, (12), 24656-24659.

INTRODUCTION The nutritive value of the host plants and their seasonal variability are closely related to that of the silkworm. The Terminalia arjuna Roxb. (Family: Combretaceae), is an quality of food has got a direct influence on the health, growth indigenous multipurpose tree having various medicinal values and survival of silkworm. Most of the food plants may contain and widely distributed throughout the Indian sub continent. It all the nutritional requirements but the quantity of each nutrient is a perennial evergreen tree with spreading branches that form may not be well balanced for proper growth and development canopy at the crown. The branches drop downwards with of silkworm. Quantitative requirements for each nutrient and simple leaves and racemose inflorescence hanging from the the required balance of nutrients for optimum nutrition may branches while flowering. Leathery, woody fruit is a one vary within and between owing to many factors seeded drup with glabrous angled or winged pericarps. It is including synthetic ability of the insect and metabolic activities cultivated for rearing of tasar silk worm Antheraea mylitta in involving specific interrelations between certain nutrients tribal inhabitant areas in India (Rai et al., 2009) and also (House 1974a). Thus, studies on quantitative and qualitative reported to feeds on Antheraea paphia. Different food plants aspects of insect nutrition is quite essential for better may influence differently on food intake, efficiency of understanding of the insect-plant relationship and is of great digestion and conservation of food to body biomass and finally importance for improvement of diet of the silkworm. Besides, on growth and development of insect (Waldbauer 1968; ecological factors also have great influence in determining the Bhattacharya and Pant 1976). Slansky and Scriber (1985) quality of the host plant leaves as well as nutrition, growth and critically reviewed these aspects of nutrition ecology of insect development of silkworm. A good number of studies on foliar and concluded that the nutritional indices as well as growth and constituents of the food plants of non-mulberry silkworm i.e. development of insect varied on different host plants. Tropical tasar, Oak tasar, Muga and Eri silkworm have been reported from different parts of India (Chowdhury, 1981; Kohli *Corresponding author: Chutia, B.C. Department of Zoology, Nowgong College, Nagaon- 782001, Assam, et al., 1986; Sinha et al., 1993; Yadav and Goswami 1992; India. Banerjee et al., 1993; Dutta et al., 1997; Sharma and Devi 24657 Yasmin et al. Foliar constituents of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. (Family: Combretaceae): An alternate host plant of wild temperate Tasar silkworm, Antheraea frithi, Moore

1997). Rai et al. (2009) give a comparative analysis of nitrogen Table 1. Folliar constituents of T. arjuna content, moisture content, carbohydrate, tannin content, soluble protein and phenolic content for pollarded and unpollarded T. Parameters Mean ± SD arjuna for evaluation of growth and development of Antheraea Total Nitrogen (%) 2.88 ± 0.04 Crude Protein (%) 18 ± 0.70 mylitta. However, no information is available on foliar Total Soluble Protein (%) 12.77 ± 0.38 constituents of T. arjuna to evaluate the biology and rearing Phosphorus (ppm/gm) 22.02 ± 0.36 performance of Antheraea frithi Moore. from North Eastern Potassium (ppm/gm) 18.8 ± 0.46 region of India. Hence, a study has been undertaken to evaluate Crude Fibre (%) 33 ± 0.59 Cellulose (%) 12.33 ± 0.40 different biochemical aspects of T. arjuna, a newly reported Total Ash content (%) 12.33 ± 0.40 food plant of A. frithi from this region. Moisture content (%) 68 ± 0.71 Total carbohydrate (%) 7.38 ± 0.41 MATERIALS AND METHODS significantly from different plants. Yadav and Goswami (1992) Fresh leaves of Terminalia arjuna were collected, shed dried reported that Litsaea polyantha leaves possessed higher total and powdered for the estimation of nutritional status. nitrogen than Persea bombycina, but variation between the leaf Biochemical parameters namely, moisture, crude fiber, total types for nitrogen was not significant. In our investigation total nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, total soluble sugar, total nitrogen was estimated at 2.88 ± 0.04 %, which is within the carbohydrate, reducing sugar, crude protein, cellulose and total range of other silk worm host plants reported by Dutta et al. ash content were estimated following standard procedures. (1997) in Mejankari (3.08%), Som (2.36%), Soalu (2.02%) and Moisture content, crude fiber, crude protein, total nitrogen, Dighloti (1.39%). potassium and phosphorous were determined by using the method of AOAC (1970). Total soluble protein was determined Total soluble Protein: The green leaves of plants are good following the methods described by Lowry et al. (1951). Total source of protein and may supply most of the essential amino soluble sugar and total carbohydrate were determined by acids. Nitrogen as protein and non-protein nitrogenous matter Anthrone method (Yemm and Willis 1954). Reducing sugar present in food plant leaves are responsible for healthy growth was estimated by the method described by Burner (1964). The of silkworms as silk substance consist of proteins. The role of total ash percentage of the leaf sample was estimated by using protein in silkworm nutrition has been emphasized by Takeuchi muffle furnace at 6000C. Cellulose was estimated by following (1960) and Fukuda et al. (1959). In the present study total the methods described by Sadasivam and Manikam (2005). soluble protein content was estimated as 12.77±0.38 which is Altogether five replications were conducted for each parameter. comparable to the protein contents of Soalu (Litsea citrata) as The mean value and standard deviation were calculated from 13.42 (Charkavorty et al., 2004) and Som (Persea bombycina) the computed value. as 12.25 (Dutta et al., 1977). However, Rai et al. (2009) reported a lower protein content (8.7-9.1 mg/gm) in T. arjuna RESULTS AND DISCUSSION from pollarded and unpollarded leaves.

The quality of food has got a direct influence on the health, Crude protein: Crude protein is considered as a desirable growth, development and survival of silkworm. Most of the nutritional parameter in silkworm diet. Agarwal et al. (1980) food plants may contain all the nutritional requirements but the recorded lower levels of crude protein content in quantity of each nutrient may not be well balanced for proper indica (9.7%), Dalbergia sisoo (15.5%), growth and development of silkworm. The nutritional status as Terminalia paniculata (8.37%), Lagerstroemia speciosa well as growth and development of insect varied on different (13.95%) and (8.27%), while Pathak (1988) host plants. Foliar constituents of leaf are the most important observed higher crude protein in Ricinus communis (23.80%) determining factor during the growth and development of followed by Heteropanax fragrans (20.7%) and Manihot different stages of silkworm and it also differ significantly utilissima (19.8%). Yadava and Goswami (1992) observed that among themselves in different food plants. The present mean value of crude protein was significantly higher in Soalu investigation of the foliar constituents of T. arjuna, like total leaves than that of Som. However, Dutta et al. (1997) recorded nitrogen (2.88 ± 0.04 %), total soluble protein (12.77 ± 0.38 highest amount of protein in Mejankori (15.53%) followed by %), crude protein (18 ± 0.70 %), Phosphorous (22.02 ± 0.36 Som (12.25%), Soalu (10.36%) and Digloti (7.50%). In the ppm/gm), potassium (18.8 ± 0.46 ppm/gm), crude fiber (33 ± present study, 18 ± 0.70 % crude protein was estimated in T. 0.59 %), carbohydrate (7.38 ± 0.41 %), cellulose (12.33 ± 0.40 arjuna. This observation is in agreement with the findings of %), total ash content (12.33 ± 0.40 %) moisture content (68 ± previous studies. 0.71 %) were recorded during the rearing season i.e. July- August which are found to be at par other silkworm host Phosphorous: Phosphorus is an important component of plants. The data depicted in the Table: 1 is the mean values of numerous cellular structures, including membrane 10 different biochemical constituents are discussed in the light phospholipids, ATP, phosphocreatine, DNA and RNA. of earlier works in following paragraphs. Phosphorus-limitation was evident in a phosphorus-poor herbivore consuming a phosphorus-rich host (Perkins et al. Total Nitrogen: Nitrogen is the most distinguishing element 2004). However, increasing dietary phosphorus has been present in protein which in turn is the most ubiquitous organic shown to increase growth rates in caterpillars (Clancy and King nitrogenous compound in food staff and in all living matter. 1993) and crickets (McFarlane 1991). The present observation The total nitrogen content of different leaves differs registered 22.02 ± 0.36 ppm/gm of phosphorous content in 24658 International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 7, Issue, 12, pp.24656-24659, December, 2015

T. arjuna which is in conformity with the findings of 0.11) respectively. In our present study total ash content was Chandrashekhar et al. (2013). recorded as 12.33 ± 0.40 % which is in conformity with the above findings. Potassium: Potassium, in the form of potassium cations, is essential to life, being a constituent of all cells. It is also Moisture: Leaf moisture increases the amount of nitrogen and predicted that the mechanical properties of the muscles of a digestion capacity of silkworm. Moisture acts as an olfactory herbivorous insect will be found to be subject to fairly marked and gustatory stimulant (Ito 1967). Dietary water affects the changes if the blood potassium rises or falls to an appreciable nutritional efficiency of since higher water content extent (Hoyel 1953). Further, El-Shaarawy et al. (1975) affects both edibility and assimilability of leaves in silkworm recorded higher potassium content with bloomy red variety of (Parpiev 1968), while a low water content affects energy castor than the bloomy green variety, confirming that this expenditure, nutritional efficiency and the growth of content varied with varieties. Similarly, Chandrashekhar et al. herbivorous insects (VantHof and Martin 1989). Jolly and (2013) also noticed significant variation of potassium content Dandin (1986) reported that 70% or more leaf moisture content among leaves of selected castor genotypes. In the present study is optimum for mulberry silkworm rearing. Paul et al. (1992) notable potassium content (18.8 ± 0.46 ppm/gm) was recorded observed that the 5th instar larva of reared on in the leaves of T. arjuna. mulberry leaves containing 76.62% moisture exhibited absolute consumption and the growth rate of larva per day is increased Crude fiber: Crude fibre is not considered as nutrient, as with the increasing percentage of leaf moisture. Dutta et al. larvae of silkworm cannot digest crude fibre. But, its intake has (1997) recorded highest moisture content in Litsaea polyantha impact in maintaining peristaltic movement of intestine. Vasuki (71.84%) followed by Litsaea salicifolia (69.98%) and Litsaea and Basanava (1969) reported reduction of fibre content is citrata (69.55%) and the lowest in Persaea bombycina advantageous for better yield of silkworm. While Charkavorty (67.02%). In the present investigation, 68 ± 0.71 % leaf et al. (2004) reported that the average crude fibre contents of moisture content is recorded from leaves of T. arjuna that may leaves of Som, Digloti and Soalu were found as 26.60%, be considered as optimum compared to earlier report. 23.65% and 16.52% respectively. In the present study, the crude fibre is recorded as 33±0.59 % which is found to be Conclusion: Rearing of A. frithi was performed successfully suitable for rearing of silkworm. on T. arjuna during the period of study. Therefore, there is a prospect to introduce T. arjuna as a new alternate host plant of Carbohydrate: Carbohydrates are very important for growth A. frithi with other host plants. Although A. frithi is a wild of silkworms. These are utilized by the silkworm as energy temperate tasar silkworm and so far not commercially source and for synthesis of lipids and amino acids (Horie exploited, hence, there is an ample scope to introduce this 1978). Carbohydrates, particularly reducing sugars are essential sericigenous species for commercial utilization on T. arjuna as nutrients for insect behvioury (Lindroth 1993). Chakravorty a new host plant. The preliminary result of the study also et al. (2004) found the average value of total carbohydrate from supports that the plant could be also blended for commercial 10.61% to 19.31% in mulberry leaves. In the present utilization and rearing of A. frithi on Terminalia arjuna will investigation the total carbohydrate content was estimated at additionally help in conservation of both silkworm as well as 7.38± 0.41% which is akin with the findings of Banerjee et al. host plant at significant level. (1993). They reported 10.61%-15.10% of total carbohydrate in the food plants of temperate tasar silkworm. Acknowledgement

Cellulose: Cellulose is a major component in crude fiber Authors thankfully acknowledge the financial support of content. Further it is often treated simply as inert, indigestible Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Department of diluents of insect diets (Simpson & Abisgold 1985, Timmins et Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India through al. 1988). It is also worth mentioned that, increase in crude Institutional Biotech Hub and Major Research Project fiber content of leaves in autumn season is more than in spring respectively. season that may be attributed due to thickening of cell wall and higher cellulose in leaves of spring season. 12.33 ± 0.40 % REFERENCES cellulose was recorded from the leaves of T. arjuna during summer season. Agarwal, S. C., Jolly, M. S. and Sinha, A. K. 1980. Foliar constituents of secondary food plants of tasar silkworm, Total ash content: Ash, the inorganic constituents are the total Antheraea mylitta D. Indian Forester, 106: 846-581. amount of the non-combustible substances present in the Association of Analytical Chemists (A.O.A.C). 1970. Official plants. The quantity of ash in a feed or in some biological Methods of Analysis (11th edition), Washington D.C. products lack information about any specific minerals that may Banerjee, N.D., Choudhury, A.K., Sinha, U.S.P. and present in a food. Chutia (2009) reported highest mean total ash Brahmachari, B.N. 1993. Studies on the foliar constituents (%) in Quercus acutissima (9.66 ± 4.54) and lowest in Alnus of the food plants of temperate tasar silkworm, Anthearea nepalensis (4.97 ± 0.25). Further, in summer season, maximum protlei Jolly. Indian J. Seric., 32(2): 228-230. of total ash was recorded in Heteropanax fragrans (9.67 ± Bhattacharya, A.K. and Pant, N.C. 1976. Studies on the insect 0.35) and minimum in Litsaea citrata (3.78 ± 0.06), while in host plant relationship: Consumption and utilization profile spring season maximum and minimum was recorded in in insect. Proceeding of National Academy of Sciences, Quercus acutissima (13.90 ± 8.82) and Litsaea citrata (3.70 ± India, Sec., 46(B): 273-299. 24659 Yasmin et al. Foliar constituents of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. (Family: Combretaceae): An alternate host plant of wild temperate Tasar silkworm, Antheraea frithi, Moore

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